Chapter 18

STEVE shuddered as the cold water hit his face and trickled down his neck. He let out a low wailing sound as he pried his eyes open. Tommy, water pitcher in hand, was smiling down at him.

"Sorry, Steve-old-buddy. I got excited there for a moment—"

"Yeah, one moment too long for me." Steve rubbed his bruised chin.

"It didn't take me long to figure it out," Tommy monotoned. "But why didn't you just tell me about her?"

Steve steadied himself on his elbows, managed it to a sitting position on the rug. "Would you have believed me?"

"No." Tommy smiled. "No wonder Nina was acting so screwy trying to get me to come here." He looked about. "Where is Nina? She was right behind me—"

"My clothes!" Mildred screeched, charging out of the bathroom. "My clothes are gone! Every last stitch!"

Steve smiled devilishly, jabbing a finger demonstratively at the towel twirled about her. "You've still got your towel, Mildred."

Mildred frantically searched about the room. "And my coat—where's my mink?"

"Relax, Mildred," Steve swayed, enjoying him-self. "Your pretty things are being aired out. They'll be returned to you any minute now by special messenger."

"What are you talking about?" Mildred angrily hissed. "I'll get even with you yet, Steve Turko—just you see!"

"Mildred-baby," Steve sarcasmed. "I was thinking of writing a nice letter of recommendation to your next employer." He eyed her lewdly. "Listing all your better points."

"You bastard!" Mildred screeched.

Tommy let out a gush of air. "And I was leaving Adele to get hooked up with this bitch," he started incredulously. He grasped Steve's hand, helped him onto his feet.

Steve brushed off his trousers. "I couldn't let that happen to a buddy—now could I?"

Tommy squared with Steve. "Old buddy—just to set you straight—while I'm still married to Adele I don't want to see you come crawling around."

Steve rubbed his still-aching jaw. "You made your point."

"What the hell's going on around here?" Mildred fumed. "I want my clothes—before I catch cold again!" The doorbell rang and Mildred cringed. "Who's that?"

Steve smiled widely. "A very special guest. Take three guesses, Mildred—the first two don't count."

Mildred swayed her head negatively, grasping at the towel rimming the crest of her bosom. Steve started for the door and Mildred bolted instantly into the bathroom, slamming the door closed behind her.

Steve opened the door as the ringing continued. He renewed his smile. "Step right in, Mister Sheldon."

Sheldon moved dumbly into the room, Mildred's mink coat, dress and frilly undergarments conspicuously draped over his right arm. "What's this all about?" he asked in a stupor. "Your secretary just dumped these in my lap. What the hell have you done to Mildred?"

Steve shrugged with feigned innocence. "Nothing much; we just put your girl Mildred out of commission." Steve gestured broadly to Tommy Crandon. "Oh, by the way, Sheldon, have you ever met Tommy Crandon?"

"What the hell—" Sheldon snarled.

Steve moved in on Sheldon. "You put Mildred onto Tommy, didn't you, Sheldon? Well, it just backfired and she won't be able to deliver the goods. Chances are she might've cut your throat, anyway."

"Steve?" Sheldon started dumbly. "We've got a deal—"

"We had a deal," Steve stressed. "I'm particular about the company I keep. My advice to you is to resign and sell whatever Polar Bear stock you're holding."

"Like hell"

"Sheldon—" Steve cut in sharply. "So far I've been gentleman enough to keep your wife out of this. She thinks the money hef family left her is invested elsewhere—doesn't she, Sheldon? That's why you can't leave her." Steve glared at Sheldon. "Don't force me to play it any dirtier than I have to."

Sheldon reddened, slowly loosened to admit de-feat. "You learn fast, Steve."

"Shall I have Adele write a flowery letter of recommendation to your next unsuspecting employer?" Steve asked pointedly.

"She needn't bother," Sheldon shrugged, turning to exit.

"Mildred's clothes—" Steve reminded Sheldon. "Your girl's in the bathroom, maybe you'd like to help her dress?"

Sheldon stopped short, hesitated briefly. He over-acted the bit of dropping Mildred's garments to the floor. "Mildred's pretty good at fast changes—she's had plenty of experience." Sheldon stooped to pick up the mink coat. He held his gaze on it momentarily, shrugged and dropped it back to the floor. "What the hell—" Sheldon smiled. "Let her keep the mink—I got my money's worth out of it."

Sheldon turned to exit, almost collided with Nina, breathlessly entering. Sheldon backglanced Nina thoroughly, a pleased smile on his face, until he caught a scowl from Steve. Sheldon waved apologetically and darted down the stairway.

Nina hooked her hands on her hips, squared with Steve. "Now that I've done everything exactly as you told me to—would you mind telling me what this is really all about?"

Steve studied her, finally smiled. "No," he said. "I'd rather keep you the way you are."

Mildred cracked the bathroom door open, jammed her head through the narrow opening. "My clothes! Will someone please give me my clothes!"

Steve started to gather Mildred's underthings, Nina restrained him. "If you don't mind, Steve, I'd better do that."

Steve backed off willingly and let Nina gather up Mildred's garments. Steve watched Nina take the bundle and nonchalantly flip it into the bathroom at Mildred. Amused, Steve turned to Tommy.

"Tommy, I want you to deliver a message to Adele. The company still belongs to her. I'm not experienced enough to be a top level executive—but I think I'd do a great job as a sales manager. Whether or not she wants me on a strictly business basis—"

"Is something you'll have to iron out with Adele," Tommy concluded. "I'll see you, of buddy." On his way out, Tommy stopped short near Nina. "Don't forget our date, Nina."

Nina nodded that she wouldn't and Tommy exited. Steve moved in on Nina. "What's this about a date with Tommy?" he asked suspiciously.

"He's promised to give me tennis lessons," Nina beamed. "Isn't that wonderful?"

"We'll see," Steve muttered.

Mildred charged out of the bathroom; dressed haphazardly, her hairdo a shamble. In her right hand, she held onto the bathtowel. "You men are all alike!" she hissed. "Well, you'll pay—"

"No," Steve corrected. "Some other guy will pay—you'll take some other poor sap for a ride soon enough." He smiled widely. "Good-bye, Mildred, it's been fun."

Mildred reddened, flung the bathtowel at Steve and charged out of the apartment.

Nina threw Steve a doubting glance. "Steve, what did you mean by `It's been fun?' "

But Steve never heard Nina. Holding the bath-towel, his concentration fully on Nina, he was too deeply engrossed in the pleasant possibility. ...